Methods And Systems For Deploying Cable Into A Well

ABSTRACT

A system for deploying cable that includes a housing. The housing is configured to receive circulating lubricant, and a drive assembly is located within the housing. The drive assembly includes a first gripper portion and a second gripper portion. The grips portions are supported by independent frames. An actuator is connected with one of the frames. The actuator provides force that causes the gripper portions to engage and cooperate to support and deploy cable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/866,762, filed Aug. 16, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for cable deployment.

BACKGROUND

Cable is traditionally deployed into a wellbore by using gravity acting on the combined weight of the cable and toolstring. Pressure, however, in high-pressure wells is significant and can prevent introduction of cables and toolstrings by gravity alone.

In high-pressure wells the well pressure is typically controlled by a combination of risers, grease-pressure (or “flow”) tubes, and a packoff assembly (or “stuffing box”). As the well pressure (Wp) enters the flow tubes, grease is injected at the bottom of the flow tube assembly at a pressure equal to 1.2 times the measured Wp. In the packoff assembly, a brass fitting is tightened onto a rubber gasket. This tightening causes the gasket to squeeze onto and seal against the cable. The packoff assembly provides a static seal against the cable. The packoff assembly seals against a substantial length of the cable; thereby, creating a large potential for the cable to be damaged. For example, contact between the cable and the sealing surface, as the cable is raised or lowered, causes the cable's outer armor wires to saw against the seal's rubber surface, reducing the life of the cable.

The pressure at the wellhead can be so large that the traditional pressure control methods are insufficient to allow the cable and toolstring to be deployed using only gravity. There is a need for methods and systems for deploying cable that can deploy cable in a safe and efficient manner, even when there is high pressure at the wellhead.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of a system for deploying a cable can include a housing containing a drive assembly. The housing can be configured to receive circulating lubricant.

The drive assembly can include a first frame supporting a first gripper portion and a second frame supporting a second gripper portion. The second frame can be operatively aligned with the first frame. An actuator can be connected with one of the frames. The actuator can provide force that causes the gripper portions to engage. The gripper portions can cooperate to support the cable when engaged.

An embodiment of the system for deploying cable can also include two ports formed in the housing and a pair of wipers connected with the housing. The two ports can allow lubricant to be circulated through the housing.

An embodiment of the method for deploying cable can include placing the cable between gripper portions of a drive assembly. The drive assembly can be located in a housing. After the cable is positioned between the gripper portions of the drive assembly, the housing can be closed. Pressure in a well can be contained by circulating lubricant into the housing, and the gripper portions can be moved to deploy the cable into a well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a system for deploying cable into a well.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a drive assembly in an open position.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the drive assembly of FIG. 2 in a closed position.

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of a first belt and a second belt of the drive assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of a drive assembly in an open position.

FIG. 6 depicts the drive assembly of FIG. 5 in a closed position.

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of gripper gears used with the drive assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a method for deploying cable.

FIG. 9 depicts an example of a smooth-profile cable.

FIG. 10 depicts a semi-smooth-profile cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and/or conciseness.

The example methods and systems disclosed herein can be used to deploy cable into a well. An assembly for deploying a cable can include a housing, and the housing can be configured to receive circulating lubricant. For example, the housing can have two ports for circulating lubricant into and out of the housing. The cable to be deployed can be any cable. For example, the cable to be deployed can be a stiff smooth-profile cable or semi-smooth-profile cable. The cable to be deployed can be a hepta cable, a quad cable, a triad cable, a coaxial cable, or a mono cable.

A drive assembly can be located within the housing. An example embodiment of the drive assembly can include a first frame supporting a first gripper portion and a second frame supporting a second gripper portion. The second frame can be operatively aligned with the first frame. An actuator can be connected with one of the frames. The actuator can be configured to provide force that causes the gripper portions to engage, and the gripper portions can cooperate to support the cable when engaged. A drive can be connected with one of the gripper portions. Illustrative drives can include an electrical motor, a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, impeller driven drive wheels, or the like.

In an example of the drive assembly, the first gripper portion can include a first belt that has protrusions extending therefrom. The first belt can also have a first groove. The first belt can be made from a single piece of material, a plurality of links, or the like. In this example of the drive assembly, the second gripper portion can include a second belt that has notches located thereon. The second belt can also have a second groove located thereon. The second belt can be made from a single sheet of material or a plurality of links. The notches on the second belt can be aligned with the protrusions on the first belt, and the notches and protrusion can interact to allow force to be transferred from one of the belts to the other belt. In addition, the second groove can be aligned with the first groove, and the first groove and second groove can form a channel for holding the cable when the first gripper portion and the second gripper portion are engaged. The grooves can be concave in shape. The grooves can be configured to fit tightly about the cable to be deployed.

In another example of the drive assembly, the first gripper portion can have a first central groove located between a first pair of toothed portions, and the second gripper portion can have a second central groove located between a second pair of toothed portions. The central grooves can be shaped and sized to accommodate a cable to be deployed. The first toothed portions can be configured to interact with the second toothed portions, allowing force to be transmitted from one of the gripper portions to the other gripper portion.

Now turning to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a system for deploying cable into a well is depicted.

The system 100 is depicted including a drive assembly 112, a housing 114, a pair of line wiper assemblies 130 a and 130 b; a circulating system 120, and a power system 122. A cable 102 is depicted operatively positioned in the system 100.

The housing 114 contains the drive assembly 112. The housing 114 is depicted located between the line wiper assemblies 130 a and 130 b. The line wiper assemblies can be similar to those disclosed in US Patent Publication No. 20100258323 entitled “PRESSURE CONTROL DEVICE FOR WIRELINE CABLES”, which was published Oct. 14, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein.

The housing 114 includes a pair of ports 115 a and 115 b that can be in communication with the circulating system 120. The circulating system 120 can circulate lubricant into and out of the housing using the ports 115 a and 115 b. The circulating lubricant can control well pressure. Controlling well pressure as referred to herein means having at least some impact on the well pressure. The lubricant can be grease or the like.

The power system 122 is used to provide power to the drive assembly 112. The power system 122 can be an electrical power system, a pneumatic power system, a hydraulic power system, or the like.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a drive assembly in an open position. FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the drive assembly of FIG. 2 in a closed position. FIG. 4 depicts a top view of a first belt and a second belt of the drive assembly of FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 4, the drive assembly 112 can include a first gripper portion 202 and a second gripper portion 204. The first gripper portion 202 includes a first belt 207 supported by a first frame 206, and the second gripper portion 204 includes a second belt 209 supported by a second frame 208. The first belt 207 includes protrusions 410 a and 410 b. The protrusions can have any cross sectional shape. For example, the protrusions can be square, rectangular, or the like. Illustrative protrusions can include tabs, wedges, or the like. The second belt 209 includes notches 412 a and 412 b. The notches can be formed or otherwise located on the second belt 209. The notches can be any size and shape that accommodate the protrusions on the first belt.

A plurality of impeller driven drive wheels 210 a, 210 b, and 210 c are depicted operatively positioned on the first frame 206. The plurality of impeller driven drive wheels 210 a, 210 b, and 210 c acts as a drive to impart motion to the first belt 207.

Actuators 220 a and 220 b are depicted connected to the first frame 206. The actuators 220 a and 220 b can be hydraulically powered, electrically powered, or the like. The actuators can be any type of device configured to provide linear motion. Illustrative actuators include hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, linear screw actuators, linear cam actuators, linear wheel and axle actuators, electro-mechanical actuators; piezoelectric actuators, or the like.

The pair of actuators 220 a and 220 b can be extended to apply pressure to the frame 206, moving the first gripper portion 202 towards the second gripper portion 204. The gripper portions 202 and 204 can operatively engage each other when the actuators 220 a and 220 b are extend. The protrusions 410 a and 410 b can be received by the notches 412 a and 412 b. Accordingly, the impeller driven drive wheels 210 a, 210 b, and 210 c can provide motive force to the first belt 207, and the first belt 207 can transfer the motive force to the second belt 209. The cable 102 located between the engaged gripper portions 202 and 204 can be deployed as the belts 207 and 209 move.

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of a drive assembly in an open position. FIG. 6 depicts the drive assembly of FIG. 5 in a closed position.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 6, the drive assembly 112 can include the first gripper portion 202. The first gripper portion includes first gripper gears 510 a, 510 b, and 510 c. The first gripper gears 510 a, 510 b, and 510 c are connected with the first frame 206. The impeller driven drive wheels 210 a, 210 b, and 210 c are connected with the first gripper gears 510 a, 510 b, and 510 c, and the actuators 220 a and 220 b are connected with the first frame 206. The first gripper gears 510 a, 510 b, and 510 c can be substantially similar to one another.

The second gripper portion 204 includes second griper gears 520 a, 520 b, and 520 c that are supported by the second frame 208. The second gripper gears 520 a, 520 b, and 520 c can be substantially similar to one another.

The actuators 220 a and 220 b can be extended to engage the first gripper portion 202 with the second gripper portion 204. The first gripper gears 510 a, 510 b, and 510 c operatively engage the second gripper gears 520 a, 520 b, and 520 c when the gripper portions are engaged. Accordingly, the first gripper gears 510 a, 510 b, and 510 c cooperate to deploy the cable 102.

The interaction between the first gripper gears 510 a, 510 b, and 510 c and the second gripper gears 520 a, 520 b, and 520 c is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 7, which depicts a top view of gripper gears used with the drive assembly of FIG. 5.

The first gripper gear 510 a has a first pair of toothed portions 710 and a first central groove 712. The first central groove 712 is located between the first pair of toothed portions 710.

The second gripper gear 520 a has a second pair of toothed portions 720 and a second central groove 722. The second central groove 722 is located between the second pair of toothed portions 720.

The first pair of toothed portions 710 can mesh with the second pair of toothed portions 720 when the gripper portions are engaged, allowing motive force provided to one of the gripper gears to be transferred to the other. In addition, the central grooves 712 and 722 can cooperate to form a channel 730. The channel 730 can be sized and shaped to hold a cable disposed therein, allowing the gripper portions to deploy the cable.

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a method for deploying cable. The method 800 is depicted as a plurality of blocks or operations.

The method 800 includes placing a cable between gripper portions of a drive assembly located in a housing (block 810). The method 800 continues by closing the housing (block 812).

The method 800 can continue by circulating lubricant into the housing (block 814). The lubricant can be circulated using an external pump, and the circulating lubricant can control pressure in the well.

The method 800 also includes engaging the gripper portions (block 816). Engaging the gripper portions can include extending an actuator connected with one of the gripper portions or otherwise moving one or both of the gripper portions.

The method 800 also includes providing movement to the gripper portions to deploy the cable into the well (block 818). Providing movement to the gripper portions can include providing power to a drive or drives to move one of the gripper portions. The drive or drives can include hydraulic motors, electric motors, impeller driven drive wheels, or the like. Power can be provided to the drive or drives using a hydraulic system, an electrical system, a pneumatic system, or the like.

As depicted above, the cable is held in a channel formed between the gripper portions when the gripper portions are engaged, and the cable moves longitudinally in the channel as the gripper portions move, thereby, deploying the cable.

FIG. 9 depicts an example of a smooth-profile cable. The example smooth profile cable 900 is depicted as a hepta cable. The smooth-profile cable can have a bonded jacketing system, providing the cable a more uniform outer diameter and stiffness than that of cables that are not jacketed.

FIG. 10 depicts a semi-smooth-profile cable. The example semi-smooth profile cable 1000 is depicted as a mono cable. The semi-smooth-profile cable can have a bonded jacketing system, providing the cable a more uniform outer diameter and stiffness than that of cables that are not jacketed.

Although example assemblies, methods, systems have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers every method, apparatus, and article of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for deploying cable, wherein the assembly comprises: a housing, wherein the housing is configured to receive circulating lubricant; and a drive assembly disposed within the housing, wherein the drive assembly comprises: a first frame supporting a first gripper portion; a second frame supporting a second gripper portion, wherein the second frame is operatively aligned with the first frame; and an actuator connected with one of the frames, wherein the actuator is configured to provide force that causes the gripper portions to engage one another, and wherein the gripper portions are configured to cooperate to support cable when engaged.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a drive connected with one of the gripper portions.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the gripper portions comprises: a first belt; protrusions extending therefrom; and a first groove.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the other gripper portion comprises: a second belt; notches located thereon; and a second groove.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first gripper portion comprises a first gripper portion gear comprising a first central groove located between a first pair of toothed portions.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second gripper portion comprises a second gripper portion gear comprising a second central groove located between a second pair of toothed portions.
 7. A system for deploying cable into a well, wherein the system comprises: a drive assembly comprising: a first frame supporting a first gripper portion; and a second frame supporting a second gripper portion, wherein the second frame is operatively aligned with the first frame, and wherein the gripper portions are configured to cooperate to engage cable; a housing disposed about the drive assembly, wherein the housing has at least two ports allowing lubricant to be circulated therethrough; and a pair of line wiper assemblies connected with the housing.
 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising: a drive connected with one of the gripper portions.
 9. The system of claim 7, further comprising: an actuator connected with one of the frames, wherein the actuator provides a force to selectively engage the gripper portions with one another.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein one of the gripper portions comprises: a first belt; protrusions extending therefrom; and a first groove.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the other gripper portion comprises: a second belt; notches located thereon; and a second groove.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the first gripper portion comprises a first central groove located between a first pair of toothed portions.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second gripper portion comprises a second central groove located between a second pair of toothed portions.
 14. A method for deploying cable into a well, wherein the method comprises: placing the cable between gripper portions of a drive assembly, wherein the drive assembly is located in a housing; closing the housing; containing well pressure by circulating lubricant into the housing; engaging the gripper portions; and providing movement to the gripper portions to deploy the cable into the well.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein engaging the gripper portions comprises extending an actuator connected with one of the gripper portions.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein providing movement to the gripper portions comprises providing power to a drive connected with one of the gripper portions.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein cable is held in a channel formed between the gripper portions when the gripper portions are engaged, and wherein cable moves longitudinally in the space as the gripper portions move. 